Electric switch.



No. 668,807. Patented ren. 2e, lool.

P. u. r. sPlEs.

ELECTRIG SWITCH.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH.-

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Fig. 2 is a like view .extends to the UNITED STATES PETER HEINRICH FELIX SPIES,

PATENT OFFICE.

OF ONE-HALF TO JACOB NORDEN, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Application filed AugustZ,

To all whom, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, PETER HEINRICH FELIX SPIES, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Mount Vernon, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Electric Switch, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to electric switches which are on electric-arc lamps, switchboards, and other electric devices and apparatus; and the object of the lnvention is to provide a new and improved electric switch arranged to permit of conveniently breaking and positively closing the circuit and in case the switch is applied to an electric-arc lamp to permit of readily lowering the lamp for renewal of electrodes or for repairs without the slightestdanger to the operatorand without throwing other lamps in the series out of the circuit.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all theV views.

Figure l is a sectional side elevation of the improvement as applied to an electric-arc lamp and with the switch in a closed position. of the same with the switch in an open position. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the same on the line 3 3 in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the plunger for opening or closing the circuit of the lamp. Fig. 5 is a perspective View ot' one of the flexible and compressible contacts with the helices separated at one end. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of part of the socket, and Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of a modiied form of the improvement.

The improved electric switch shown in Figs. l to 6 is provided with a socket A, of a suitable insulating material and supported on a hollow head B, carrying a bearing C, attached 'to an overhead support in any suitable manner, a pulley D being `journaled in said bearing for carrying a rope E, one run of which ground and the other passes specification, in which February 26, 1901.

through the head B to rigidly connect with a plunger F, adapted to pass into the socket A, as is plainly shown in Fig. l. The socket A is provided at its lower end with a hook F for supporting an electric-arc lamp G of any approved construction, the arrangement being such that when the operator takes hold' of the rope E and slackens the run extending to the ground then the weight of the lamp G pulls the plunger F out of the socket A and electrically disconnects the lamp G from the circuit, so that new electrodes can be inserted in the lamp or the latter repaired without danger to the operator. When this has been done, the operator pulls on the rope E, and the plunger F, with the lamp G, is raised, the plunger F finally passing into the socket A for again connecting the lamp with the circuit in the manner hereinafter more fully described.

On the socket A is arranged a hood H, carrying binding-posts I I/, connected with linewires J J', and from the binding-post I lead branch wires J'2 J3, connecting with metallic rings K K, set in recesses in the socket A, as plainly shown in the drawings, and the binding-post I is similarly connected by a wire J4 with a contact-ringKg, likewise setin a recess in the socket A between the rings K K', it being understood that the several rings KK' K2 are spaced apart and insulated one from the other. The contact-rings K K2 K are engaged at their inner faces by flexible and compressible contacts L L L2, respectively, set in the recesses containing the rings K K K2, and each formed of two helices L3 L4 having their convolutions overlapping each other, as is plainly indicated in Fig. 5. It is evident that to do this one of the helices is right-handed and the other left-handed to interlock with the convolutions overlapping each other.' The helices are oval in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 6, and when interlocked form an exceedingly sensitive contact to insure proper transmission of electricity. The contacts L L' are adapted to be connected with each other by a slidable contactring N, mounted to slide in the upper portion of the socket A, a spring N normally pressing the ring N downward to the position shown in Fig. 2 at the time the plunger F is OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR IOO withdrawn from the socket. (See Fig. 2.) when the plungerF is moved into the socket When this takes, place electric connection is the convol'utions are compressed transversely made between the binding-posts I I' by way to insure a firm annular contact. between the of the wires J2 J4, the rings K K2, the conl rings and plates. The contacts L L' L2 are tacts L L', andthe ring N. The downward i sufficiently flexible to be readily formed in movement of the ringN is limited by a pin N2 circular shape to fit the annular recesses in engaging a groove A' in the socket A. When the socket A. the plunger F is, however, pushed into the In the modified form shown in Fig. 7 the socket A, then the upper reduced end of the plunger F'l is liked, and the socket A2 is hung plunger engages the lower end of the ring N, on the loweringand raising rope E' and carand on a further upward movement of the ries the hook FJ for supporting the electricplunger said ring N is moved upward against arc lamp. A hood H2, secured to the plunger the tension of its spring N', whereby the elec- F4, carries at its base end a centrally-apertric connection between the contacts L L' is tured plate H2, and a similar plate H5 is atbroken; but at the same time electric contached to the hood H2, carried by the socket nection is made between the binding-posts I A2. The hood H2 carries the binding-posts I' and the lamp G by contact-plates O O', I2 I2 I4, and the hood H'1 carries the bindingfitted in annular recesses in the plunger F posts PG and P", connected with the electrodes and adapted to engage the contacts L' L2, reot the lamp and by wires P8 and P9 with the spectively. The contact-plate O' is connected contact-rings K3 K2, secured in the socket A2 by a wire P with a binding-post P', connected l and engaged by the compressible contacts LG by a wire P2 with one electrode of the lamp L2, adapted to engage the fixed contact-plates G, and the other contact-plate O is connected O2 O3 on the plunger F". The contact-plates by a wire P3 with the binding-post P4, con- O2 O3 are connected by wires Q Q' with the nected by a wire P with the other electrode binding-posts I2 I3 on the hood H2, the said of the lamp G. The binding-posts P' and P4 binding-posts being connected with the line. are carried on a hood I-I', attached to the plun- The third binding-post I4 on the hood H2 conger E and adapted to engage with its base nects by the wire Q2 with a contact-ring O4 the base of the hood H, as is plainly shown on the fixed plunger and is adapted to be enin Fig. 1, to protect the plunger and socket gaged by the compressible contacts L8L9, elecand their parts against the inclemency of the trically connected with each other by a meweather, dust, Arc. tallic lining in the sliding contact-ringr N2, It is evident that when the plunger F is pressed by a string N3 and held to slide on moved into the socket A by the operator inathe fixed plunger F2. A flange N4 on the said nipulating the rope E,as previously explained, ring N2 engages the hoodplate H2 to limit the then the contact-plates O O' move in engagedownwardsliding movement of the said coninent with the ilexible and compressible contact-ring when the socket A2 is lowered by the tacts L' L2, so that the binding-posts I I are rope E'. Vhen this takes place, the comelectrically connected with each other by way pressible contacts L8 L2 are in engagement of the wire J2, ring K', contact L2, plate O', with the contact-plates O2 O4 to keep the wire P, binding-post P', wire P2, electrodes of series lamps supplied with electricity, while the lamp G, wire P5, binding-post P4, wire P2, the socket. A2 is lowered or out of engagement contact-plate O, contact L', ring K2, and wire with the fixed plunger F2. Then the socket J4, leading to the binding-post I'. Thus from A2 moves into a final uppermost position, it the foregoing it is evident that the current is engages the slidable contact ring N2 and completely cut ott from the lamp G when the moves the sameupward against the tension latter is lowered; but at the same time the of its spring N3 to the position shown in Fig. circuit for the series line remains closed, so 7 to render the said ring N2 inactive. The that the other lamps used are in electrical conplunger F4, as shown, is secured to a pipe B', nection with the power-station. As soon, howhaving a head B2 for engaging an overhead ever, as the plunger F is raised and passes into support. the socket A then the lamp G is thrown into Having thus fully described my invention, circuit, without, however, interrupting the I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters series line. It is expressly understood that Patentthe series circuit is not interrupted when the l. An electric switch, comprising a receivplunger F is withdrawn from the socket, as ing-socket, a contact-plungerfor engagement the ring N makes contact with the contacts with said socket, a series circuit, a local or L L' before the local orloop circuit is broken. loop circuit and a cut-in device so arranged By making the contacts L L L2 in the manthat when the plunger and socket move out ner described they are compressible transof engagement and the local circuit is broken versely to insure a positive contact between then the said cut-in device maintains the sethe plates O O' and the rings K2 K as well ries circuit unbroken or closed, the said ciras between the ring N and the ring K. It is cuits having flexible and compressible conunderstood that this contact takes place tacts each formed of a plurality of interlocked around the rings and plates, especially as the helices, as set forth. contacts are of such thickness as to slightly 2. An electric switch comprising a receiv project into the bore of the socket A, so that ing-socket, a contact-plunger for engagement IIO IZO

with the said socket, a series circuit, a local or loop circuit forming partof the said series circuit and broken when the plunger and socket are disengaged, the said circuits having a plurality of spaced annular contactplates on the plunger, a plurality of contactrings in the socket, and flexible and compressible contacts for making contact between the said plates and. rings when the plunger and socket are in engagement, each of the said contacts consisting of a plurality of interlocked helices approximately oval in crosssection, as set forth.

3. An electric switch, comprising a receiving-socket of insulating material and formed on ifs inner face with a plurality of spaced annular recesses, a connecting-ring in each recess and connected with the circuit or line wires, a flexible and compressible contact set in each recess for contact with the ring therein, and a spring-pressed connecting-ring havinga limited sliding movement in said socket, for connecting a pair of said spaced flexible and compressible contacts with each other, to keep the series-line circuit closed when the local circuit is broken, as set forth.

4. An elect-ric switch, comprising a receiving-socket of insulating material and formed on its inner face with a plurality of spaced annular recesses, a connecting-ring in each recess and connected with the circuit or line wires, a flexible and compressible contact in each recess for contacting with the ring therein, a spring-pressed connecting-ring having a limited sliding movement in said socket, for connectinga pair of spaced flexible and compressible contacts with each other, to keep the series-line circuit closed when the local circuit is broken and a plunger of insulating material pushed into the said socket and arranged to engage said sliding ring, to move the same out of contact with one of said ilexible and compressible contacts and break the series-line circuit by way of the sliding ring, as set forth.

5. An electric switch, comprising a receiving-socket of insulated material and formed on its inner face with a plurality of spaced annular recesses, a connecting-ring in each recess and connect-ed with the circuit or line wires, a flexible and compressible contact in each recess for contacting with the ring therein, a spring-pressed connecting-ring having a limited sliding movement in said socket, for connecting a pair of spaced flexible and compressible contacts with each other, to keep the series-line circuit closed, and a plunger of insulating material pushed into the said socket and arranged to engage said sliding ring, to move the same out of contact with one of said flexible and coinpressible contacts and break the series-line circuit by way of the sliding ring, said plunger having spaced annular contact-plates adapted to engage such of the ilexible and compressible contacts as are out of engagement at the time with the said slidable ring, as set forth.

6. Acontactdevice for electrical apparatus, consisting of a plurality of helices with con- Volutions running in opposition and with the convolutions of one helix interlocked with the convolutions of the other helix, as set forth.

7. A contact device for electrical apparatus, consisting of a plurality of helices with convolutions running in opposition and with the convolutions of one helixinterlocked with the con volutions of the other helix, the helices being oval in cross-section, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER- HEINRICH FELIX SPIES.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. OREILLY, B. WooDARD. 

